Otumfuo @25: Why Denkyirahene weeps before paying homage to Asantehene

The historian explained on GTV on May 12, 2024, that the practice is linked to a crucial battle fought between the Asantes and Denkyiras decades back.

The Battle of Feyiase was the decisive encounter in the struggle that led to the Ashanti Empire replacing Denkyira as the dominant power among the Twi-speaking Akan people.

He explained that the then Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu I, led the Asantes to defeat Denkyira in the Asante-Denkyira war, which climaxed with the beheading of the Denkyirahene, Ntim Gyakari, in 1701.

The Asantes, Nana Nyarko noted, seized the drums that belonged to the Denkyiras after completely defeating them in the war.

He continued that whenever any Denkyirahene comes to Asanteman to pay homage to Otumfuo, the drums are played in memory of the late Ntim Gyakari, prompting the Denkyira delegation to weep to mourn him before shaking hands with the Otumfuo.

The Asantehene celebrated Akwasidaekɛseɛ at the Manhyia Palace on Sunday, May 12, 2024.

It was marked with a rich display of culture in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, in a celebration that coincided with the Asantehene’s 25th anniversary on the Golden Stool.